Daily Food Expenses in Vietnam: Can a Viet Kieu Live on $10 a Day?

Vietnam has become an attractive destination for many Viet Kieu (overseas Vietnamese) looking for a more affordable lifestyle compared to Western countries like the U.S. One of the biggest questions many have is: Can you survive on just $10 (around 250,000 VND) per day in Vietnam?

To find out, let’s dive into the real-life experience of a Viet Kieu living in Vietnam, tracking daily expenses from grocery shopping, breakfast, coffee, and home-cooked meals.

1. Introduction: Is $10 a Day Enough in Vietnam?

In the U.S., a single fast-food meal at McDonald’s or a Starbucks coffee can easily cost between $10-$15. But in Vietnam, that same amount might be enough to cover an entire day’s worth of food, including grocery shopping, eating out, and coffee.

But is it truly enough to live comfortably? Let’s break down a real-life example of how a Viet Kieu spends a full day in Vietnam with just $10 (250,000 VND).

2. Morning Grocery Shopping – Buying Food for the Day

Market Purchases:

• 500g red tilapia (Ca Dieu Hong) – 60,000 VND (~$2.40)
• 300g pork belly – 50,000 VND (~$2.00)
• 1 bunch of water spinach – 10,000 VND (~$0.40)
• 1 pack of soft tofu – 10,000 VND (~$0.40)
• 200g enoki mushrooms – 15,000 VND (~$0.60)
• 2 tomatoes – 8,000 VND (~$0.32)
• Spices (fish sauce, sugar, garlic, scallions – already available at home)

Total grocery cost: 153,000 VND (~$6.12)

These ingredients are enough to prepare two full home-cooked meals (lunch and dinner).

3. Breakfast: Eating Out & Enjoying Vietnamese Coffee

In Vietnam, eating out for breakfast is a common habit as it’s cheap and convenient. Today, the Viet Kieu chooses a bowl of Bun Bo Hue (beef noodle soup) and a glass of Vietnamese iced milk coffee.

• Bun Bo Hue (beef noodle soup) – 45,000 VND (~$1.80)
• Vietnamese iced milk coffee – 20,000 VND (~$0.80)

Total breakfast cost: 65,000 VND (~$2.60)

A hearty bowl of Bun Bo Hue comes with rich broth, beef slices, Vietnamese sausage, and fresh herbs, making it a fulfilling meal. Paired with a strong and flavorful Vietnamese drip coffee, it’s a perfect start to the day.

4. Lunch: Cooking at Home

Using the groceries bought earlier, the Viet Kieu prepares three simple yet delicious dishes:

• Steamed red tilapia with ginger
• Stir-fried water spinach with garlic
• Tomato, tofu, and mushroom soup

Cooking at home not only saves money but also ensures a balanced and nutritious meal.

Total lunch cost: (already included in grocery shopping budget)

5. Afternoon Snack: Refreshing Coconut Water

After lunch, a fresh coconut drink is the perfect way to cool down in the tropical Vietnamese heat. A whole coconut only costs 15,000 VND (~$0.60), making it a refreshing and healthy beverage.

• Fresh coconut water – 15,000 VND (~$0.60)**

6. Dinner: Reheating Home-Cooked Food & Total Expenses

For dinner, there’s no need to cook again since the lunch meal was prepared in a large portion. Simply reheating the leftovers makes it an easy and cost-effective meal.

After a full day of meals, let’s summarize the total cost:

Total Daily Food Expenses:

• Grocery shopping: 153,000 VND (~$6.12)
• Breakfast: 65,000 VND (~$2.60)
• Afternoon coconut water: 15,000 VND (~$0.60)
• Total: 233,000 VND (~$9.32)

7. Conclusion: Is $10 Per Day Enough?

This real-life experiment shows that $10 per day is enough to live comfortably in Vietnam, as long as you spend wisely.

• If you eat out all day, costs could be higher, reaching $15-$20 per day.
• If you cook at home, expenses are significantly lower, and you can still enjoy fresh, nutritious meals.

With this budget, a person can live in Vietnam with around $300 per month for food, which is much cheaper than in the U.S.

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